Cheryl’s Excellent Life

1962-2025

Cheryl VanRaden completed her excellent life September 10, 2025 at age 63. She was born June 20, 1962 and raised well by Dora Brice of Baltimore, MD and Thomas Pettiford (deceased) together with her brother Thomas Pettiford, Jr. and sister Annette Brown. Cheryl Pettiford graduated from Patterson High School one year early by skipping 10^th grade because she already knew those answers ahead of her time.

In her 1979 yearbook, her many high school friends told her: “You’ve been so nice and your voice is wonderful. I’ll keep a place in my heart just for you.” “A crazy and fun friend I enjoyed being around. You’ll always be a friend of mine.” “A neat and crazy friend of mine that I won’t forget.” “A very Beautiful and charming young lady that I love so dear.” “To a very nice person, stay as you are and we will always be friends.” “You’re a sweet girl with a nice personality. Stay that way.” “A sweet lady that I will always remember.” “I must say you are a very nice person. Probably to me you are a numero uno person. Keep cool and sweet as you are.” “You are one of the nicest and friendliest people I have ever known.” “You are crazy, period. No, but you are a good friend to have.” “You’ve been a very nice and crazy friend. I wish I’d known you longer than 1 year.” “I’m so glad we met. Now I don’t try to make my voice deeper anymore because I know I’m not the only one!” "It was really fun knowing you and talking to you… I will never forget you because of that ‘voice’ !” “A very special friend that I will always remember for the nice time we had in New York.” “But when you rise to the top don’t forget that you are unique and one of a kind. Stay that way, don’t change, and you will make it, I know you will.”

Cheryl worked for the Central Intelligence Agency in Washington, DC for 5 years as an Administrative Assistant and received an Exceptional Performance Award. Cheryl then worked for the U.S. National Security Agency, Fort Meade, MD for 7 years on government contracts held by General Electric / Martin Marrietta Corp and received a Lighting Award from GE. Cheryl then worked for Johns Hopkins Medical Services in Annapolis, MD, for the State of Maryland also in Annapolis, for Anne Arundel County, Bowie, MD in administrative services, and more recently for Lowes near Orlando, FL. In earlier years Cheryl took her family to Florida and in recent years the family came to Florida to see grandma (YaYa).

Cheryl shared her nice eyes and kind mind with two mighty fine daughters, Charlee and Angel, that she raised. Each day, they display Cheryl’s style while I’ll smile mile by mile. Charlee Jackson of Middle River, MD provided 5 wonderful grandchildren: Elexys Smith, Samira Biggus, Bige Chambers, Jr, Brandon Chambers, and Jeremiah Jackson. In June 2025, Angel VanRaden (now Morel) married Cesar Morel in a fun wedding near Palm Beach, FL with many friends and family attending. Angel and Cesar began married life by exploring Europe.

Cheryl married Dr. Paul VanRaden and they began exploring the world together in 1995. Paul worked as a Research Geneticist in the US Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD for 37 years and retired as a Hall of Fame scientist in May, 2025. On May 18, Paul and Cheryl celebrated 30 years of marriage.

Cheryl enjoyed life and travel until complications from diabetes and a severe infection ended her excellent life. Cheryl was the head of our family, did most of the communication and planning for our family trips, and was looking forward to more adventures. She wanted to return to Singapore which we visited 30 years ago. The pictures below of Cheryl or that she took of her family show how she lived and improved the lives of those she met. Also posted a little audio to remember her voice, plus some of a daughter and granddaughter. The first 3 sets of photos were just posted today and the others were posted previously:

Cheryl (Pettiford) VanRaden early photos

Charlee, Cheryl, and family photos

Charlee’s Kids with Angel photos

Cheryl, Angel, Elexys audio 2005-2020 phone voices

Recent Vacations 2021-2025

Family Vacations 1997-2017 

I Found Cheryl, More Photos (1994 poem + photos)

Little Wedding, Big Honeymoon (1995 photos)

Cheryl did not talk about herself much but that will not stop us from saying nice things about her. Cheryl’s family and friends and I miss her very much.

Paul VanRaden

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